* Astronomy

Higher Than Normal Sulphur Dioxide Emissions at Kilauea
Dangerously high levels of sulphur dioxide gas in a small but popular area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park have officials warning visitors to stay in their cars with their air conditioner on re-circulation and to just drive through that area.

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A third large crack has formed on Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, park officials said Wednesday. A forest area that is home to rare plants and species could be in danger.
The fissure, spotted in an area a few miles southeast of Kilauea's summit, is near two others discovered since hundreds of small earthquakes were recorded in the area Sunday, suggesting magma, or underground lava, was shifting beneath the surface.
The fissure was spewing steam, but was not oozing lava like the others did. Heat from the fissures could spark a fire.
Scientists also detected hazardous sulphur dioxide concentrations greater than 10 parts-per-million near Kilauea's summit, according to the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory. The levels would be toxic to humans, but the public generally isn't allowed near the summit.
The earthquakes seem to have slowed since Tuesday with fewer than 10 small earthquakes per hour being recorded in the upper east rift zone, where the fissures have appeared
On Tuesday, a small outbreak of lava oozed about 150 feet from a 600-foot-long fissure. The lava was cooling and not advancing.

Source AP

Bill Keel, a  University of Alabama astronomy professor, figures he has visited about 30 observatories around the world either as a scientist or tourist.

"Especially if you include the old stone circles in the United Kingdom, some of which were astronomical sighting devices".
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Rangers at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are launching a program to stop people from leaving religious offerings at the summit of Mount Kilauea - including food they say attracts rats and ****roaches.
According to a park statement people also burn fake money which in Chinese culture is meant to aid people in the afterlife. Such fires are illegal.
Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, has been in continuous eruption since Jan. 3, 1983.

Some Hawaiians believe the volcano summit is sacred to the fire goddess Pele.

Tourists would always remember Kilauea for its historically eruptive volcano. It is a continually active volcano and an eruption may switch from effusive to explosive. Legend tells us that Pele, the ancient volcano goddess of Hawaii, lived in Kilauea. This town was born from volcanic activity -- like all the islands in Hawaii -- and still keeps on growing. Kilauea volcano was formed some 300,000 to 600,000 years ago. Centuries later, the Kilauea island was born. The volcanic eruptions have shaped the ancient minds of the Hawaiians and thought that the lava formations were symbols of the goddess Pele's wrath and anguish. Thus, they named the volcanic formations as Pele's Tears, the solidified teardrop-shaped lava formations; and Pele's Hair, the thin strands of volcanic glass formations.

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Latitude: 19.41494 N Longitude: 155.26937 W